Queensland Nickel's financial position became so dire that, according to QN chief financial officer Daren Wolfe, Mr Palmer paid $2.5 million out of his own pocket so workers could be paid over Christmas.

But Queensland Nickel had also been good to Mr Palmer.

It donated more than $20 million to Mr Palmer's eponymous Palmer United Party over the past two financial years.

The most recent donation of nearly $290,000 was declared on December 31, just weeks before Queensland Nickel was placed into administration.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O'Rourke said the state government was determined to do what it could to assist affected workers.

Ms O'Rourke said the government's rapid response team would ramp up its efforts on Tuesday.

"State government representatives have had a positive meeting with the administrator where we have agreed to continue to share information and work together as appropriate," she said.

"We have emphasised that our priority is the employees.

"Our focus is firmly on the employees and accelerating our capital works program to make jobs available in the north and throughout regional Queensland."

The government information sessions were planned for 3pm, 4pm and 5pm at Townsville's Riverway Arts Centre Auditorium on Tuesday.

Ms O'Rourke said representatives from Centrelink, Queensland government departments and not-for-profit organisations would offer advice about continuing employment and training information, payment information and support services, access to income support and referral to other services and counselling services.

She said further forums would be held as required.

On Monday, experienced political pundits said Mr Palmer's election prospects were in freefall alongside his slumping nickel business.

ABC election guru Antony Green believes the Palmer United Party's vote at the next federal election will all but "disappear" while minor parties powerbroker Glenn Druery said PUP would currently attract no more than 2 per cent of the primary vote, with its only chance of success a single Senate seat in either Queensland or Western Australia.

Mr Green said the strife at Mr Palmer's refinery had been the biggest blow so far to the shrinking PUP.

The high point for the party was taking nearly 10 per cent of the primary Senate vote in Queensland at the 2013 election and more than 12 per cent in the WA rerun in 2014 – both after big-spending campaigns backed by Mr Palmer's business interests.

"I would guess that that vote has just disappeared," said Mr Green.

"The combination of his business problems and his inability to hold on to senators [Jacqui Lambie and Glenn Lazarus, who both defected from PUP] suggests the party is a one-hit wonder."

While QN's political donations to PUP had attracted criticism from unions and Labor and LNP politicians alike, the company insisted all was above board.